In a move that has left historians, preservationists, and much of the public stunned, demolition crews have officially completed tearing down the entire East Wing of the White House to make way for a new US$300 million (RM1.3 billion) ballroom commissioned by President Donald Trump.
Satellite images shared with AFP by Planet Labs PBC on Thursday show a grey and brown expanse of rubble where the East Wing once stood—an iconic space that, until recently, housed the First Lady’s offices and served as the main entrance for official tours and events.
This development marks one of the most extensive structural changes to the White House in over a century, far exceeding what Trump initially announced. When unveiling his plans in July, the former real estate mogul promised the ballroom “wouldn’t touch” the existing building. However, after consulting with architects, Trump later stated that “really knocking it down” was the preferred option.
Trump’s vision includes a 90,000-square-foot, 1,000-seat ballroom, intended to host state dinners and large gatherings that have historically been held in temporary tents on the White House lawn. “This ballroom will finally give America the elegance it deserves,” Trump remarked.
The White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that the updated cost stands at US$300 million and emphasized that it will be fully funded by private donors and Trump himself, with “not a dime from taxpayers.”
Among the major contributors are Amazon, Apple, Google, Meta, Palantir, and Lockheed Martin, along with individual donors such as the Winklevoss twins and the family of Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. “I’ll donate whatever’s needed,” Trump told reporters, underscoring his personal financial commitment to the project.
Despite Trump’s insistence on progress and grandeur, criticism has been fierce. Former First Lady Hillary Clinton and preservation groups have expressed outrage over the demolition of a structure that stood since the Theodore Roosevelt administration in 1902. The White House Historical Association has ensured that artifacts and digital scans have been preserved for posterity, while the National Trust for Historic Preservation urged a pause, citing concerns over the “massing and height” of the proposed structure overwhelming the original White House.
For now, the East Wing—once a symbol of tradition, grace, and continuity—exists only in memory and digital archives. What replaces it may redefine not just the skyline of Washington D.C., but the very image of presidential legacy in America.
